Merlene Dyal Altman
Jesup—Merlene Dyal Altman, 87, of Jesup died June 11, 2023, under the care of Georgia Hospice Care.
The Wayne County native was a member of Spring Grove Freewill Baptist Church and owner of Love Blossoms in Hinesville.
She loved people, and it showed when she would greet customers at Walmart and design their floral pieces when it had that department. When she wasn’t working, she would love to play solitaire, scratch lottery tickets and bowl with her Fort Stewart Bowling League.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Carlton “Pee Wee” Altman; several siblings; and a grandson, Jo Jo Altman.
Survivors include two daughters, Susan (Josh) Hanks and Jan (Steve) Evans, all of Jesup; a son, Wayne (Michelle) Altman of Townsend; grandchildren, Christopher Altman, Mandy Griffis White, Kayla Moody, Jessey and Colby Pollette, Whitney (Preston Gibbs) Moody, Trey Evans and Krystal Grube; several great-grandchildren; a brother, Grady Dyal of Franklin, Tennessee; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 14 at Spring Grove Freewill Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Wilder officiating. Interment followed in Spring Grove Cemetery. Active pallbearers were her family.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Bobby DeLoach
Jesup—Bobby DeLoach, 64, of Jesup died June 7, 2023.
The Wayne County native was of the Baptist faith and a retired millwright with the Savannah Local Union. He loved to fish in the Altamaha River and the lakes in Florida.
His parents, Claude and Lillian, preceded him in death.
Survivors include a sister, Judee Mobley of Jacksonville, Florida; two brothers, Maron DeLoach of Odum and Mike (Patricia) DeLoach of Odum; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held June 9 in Pinecrest Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. Albert Dyal officiating. Active pallbearers were his family and friends.
Rinehart and Sons Funeral Home of Jesup was in charge of arrangements.
Marie Kicklighter Aspinwall
Screven—Marie Kicklighter Aspinwall, 78, died peacefully on June 7, 2023, at home under the care of Hospice of South Georgia. She was surrounded by her loving family.
A native and lifelong resident of Screven, she was born on March 13, 1945, to the late Loyal and Ruzy Grantham Kicklighter. She worked several jobs throughout her lifetime, including positions at A&D Meats, Rick’s Meats, McKenzie Tank Lines and Wayne Memorial Hospital. She finally retired from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
She was strongwilled and determined and loved spending time with her family. In her spare time, she enjoyed gardening, fishing and riding her golf cart.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Glenn Kicklighter, and her sister, Betty Carter.
Survivors include her three daughters and sons-in-law, Gwen (Ricky) Drury, Lynne (Greg) Brown and Dianne (Nicky) Denison, all of Screven; grandchildren, Heath Manning, Heather Rozier, Lanie (Mark) Wilson, Ben (Oscara) Tyre and Courtney (Gavin) Jones; and great-grandchildren, Jaren Manning, Jaylen Manning, Weston Cole, Clayton Cole, Reign Wilson, Adalyn Tyre, Lakelyn Tyre and Case Jones.
Funeral services were held June 9 at Howard & Jones Funeral Home in Jesup with Brother David Simmons officiating.
Interment followed in Bennett Cemetery in Screven.
Active pallbearers were Ben Tyre, Heath Manning, John Lewis, Gavin Jones, Mark Wilson and Tracy Tyre. Honorary pallbearers were Lee Stevenson and Jimmy Truitt.
Remembrances may be made to Hospice of South Georgia, 1625 Sunset Blvd. Jesup, GA 31545 or the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Anthony Wade Cash
Jesup—Anthony Wade Cash, 52, affectionately known by his family and friends as “Tony” died June 12, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Hospital after an extended illness.
A resident of Jesup for the past 40 years and former resident of Savannah, he was born on Oct. 25, 1970, in Lexington, Kentucky.
He worked more than 18 years at Chemtall Inc. in Riceboro, before his health forced retirement. He loved joking around and having fun. He was a longtime active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Jesup, and he excelled as a husband and father by loving his family, using the example set forth by Jesus Christ.
In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching NASCAR, the Atlanta Braves and the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.
He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Paul Wayne Cash Jr., and his sister, Lori Holland.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Tammy Sutton Cash of Jesup; a son, Drake Cash of Jesup; his mother and father, Carolyn and Bill Holland of Jesup; a half-sister, Jacqueline Gray and family of Lexington; a half-brother, Jody Woodrum of Lexington; a sister-in-law, Ginger (Greg) Jernigan of Jesup; and a much loved nephew, Phillip Collins. Cash also leaves behind his beloved feline companions, Anita and Kelly, who will deeply miss their “Daddy Pig,” and numerous aunts, uncles, friends and other extended-family members.
Private memorial services will be held at a later date.
Cash fought hard while dealing with health issues and always remained optimistic, even until the very end. He would always smile and say, “Everything is gonna be alright.” He passed away with a deep faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his family said.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook online at www.jesupfuneralhome.com.
Howard & Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ann Olivia Dubberly
Mount Pleasant—Ann Olivia Dubberly, 89, of Mount Pleasant died May 31, 2023, at her daughter’s residence.
She was born Dec. 20, 1933, in Mount Pleasant, to Cecil Eugene and Evelyn Priester Dubberly. She had lived most of her life in Mount Pleasant and was retired from Moore Stephens Tiller LLC.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by siblings, Merrill Eugene Dubberly, Patricia Dubberly Aspinwall and Julian Everett Dubberly, and brothers-in-law, James Long and Kenny Davis.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Kameron (Donnie) Lewis of Mount Pleasant; a granddaughter, Lucy Evelyn Lewis of Mount Pleasant; siblings, Linda D. Long Davis and Charles Edwin Dubberly (Jacqueline L.), all of Mount Pleasant; a brother-in-law, Vernon (Vivian) Aspinwall of Jesup; a sister-in-law, Ruby Howe Dubberly of Jesup; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held June 2 at Chapman Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Clayton Dowd officiating. A private burial followed in the Burney-Popwell Cemetery at Mt. Pleasant, with David Dubberly, Mike Aspinwall, Eddie Dubberly, Ken Dubberly, Wayne Aspinwall, Kevin Moore, Jay Hill and David Wood serving as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Gary and Sabra Priester, Ronnie and Bonnie Dubberly, Gary and Leslie Dubberly, and the staff of Georgia Hospice Care of Jesup, including Monica, Jennifer, Patricia, Marti, Sherrita, Michellle, Taylor and Kristin.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Georgia Hospice Care in Jesup.
Chapman Funeral Chapel & Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.
Elton Josiah Spann Jr.
Brookhaven—Elton Josiah Spann Jr., 85, of Brook-haven, died June 2, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.
He was born in Savannah, lived his entire life in Georgia, and from his earliest days, he was known as “Rock.” He graduated from Savannah High School, and he obtained an associate’s degree from Armstrong College. He then entered the United States Marine Corps, ultimately joining the 5th Rifle Company reserve unit in Savannah. After his active duty, he returned to college, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia Southern College, although that tells only part of the story. To put himself through college, he sometimes slept in his car as he worked a variety of jobs—line cook at Howard Johnson’s, clerk at Bryant’s Motel, and the owner of Rock’s Rock ‘n Roll Superette.
After college, he became a certified public accountant. True to his nickname, Rock spent his whole 50-year accounting career with the same firm (Moore Stephens Tiller LLC)—its name changed over the decades, but his commitment to serving his clients did not, his family said. Rock served as partner-in-charge of various offices (including Jesup), and he eventually served on the policy committee for Moore Stephens International.
He was a lifelong student of baseball, and growing up, he was a feared left-handed power-hitting first baseman who played on several state-championship teams. He coached youth baseball, football and basketball teams and was an avid Braves fan and golfer.
He married the love of his life, Betty Jean Bryant, in 1962, and they slow-danced their way through six decades together. They raised two children and unabashedly spoiled six grandchildren.
He grew up in the Methodist Church and took seriously his vow to support the church with his prayers, his presence, his gifts, his service and his witness. Rock was often drafted to oversee the finance committee at congregations he joined. He was most recently a faithful member of Saint James United Methodist Church in Atlanta.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elton Josiah Spann, Sr.; his mother, Henrietta Smith Spann; his son-in-law, Scott A. McCraney; and his brother-in-law, Robert E. Bryant.
Survivors include his loving wife, Elizabeth Bryant Spann; his daughter, Beth Spann McCraney (Charles) Andrews; his son, Bryant J. (Carol) Spann; grandchildren, Wright A. (Sarah) McCraney; M. Connor McCraney, Conrad W. Spann, Hope E. Spann, Sarah Andrews (Matt) Gough and Charles J. Andrews; two brothers, Henry L. Spann and James A. (Betsy) Spann; a sister-in-law, Kathy Bryant; and loving nieces, nephews, family and dear friends.
A funeral service, followed by a reception, will be held at Saint James United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m. In lieu of usual remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to Saint James United Methodist Church, 4400 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30342.
H.M Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
David Allen Thomas
Jesup—David Allen Thomas died June 9, 2023, at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born Sept. 5, 1962, in Calhoun to Denzil Thomas and Julia Pearl Turnage.
He grew up in Jesup and attended public school at Wayne County Training Center and graduated from Wayne County High School in 1981. He started and completed Army Basic Combat Training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, with Echo Company Third Platoon in 1985. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Georgia National Guard for four years where he trained and served as a heavy vehicle mechanic, and was employed at Fort Stewart as a heavy vehicle mechanic.
He was an expert motorcycle rider and passionate about hunting, fishing, creating anything with his hands and was a gifted mechanic.
He was an avid writer of spiritual poems. His pride and joy was his title as family man—husband, dad and granddad.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Julia Turnage; brother, Paul; sister, Leila; and maternal and paternal grandparents.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years (marriage of 25 years) Melissa Harris Thomas of Jesup; daughters, Devonya (Kevin) Pinchen of Jesup, Shakiya (Travon) Williams of Savannah, Julya Thomas of Jesup and Miyah Thomas of Jesup; sons, Tafari and Menelik Thomas of Jesup; grandchildren, Jaylah Morris, Travon Jr. and Jayden Williams of Savannah, Kinsley and Kameron Pinchen of Jesup; father, Denzil (Laura) Thomas; sisters, Knarvie (John) Steed, Julia Thomas, Angela (Brooker) Wilson of Jesup, and Robin (Bernard) Kirkland of Crestview Hills, Kentucky; brothers, Kevin Thomas, Denzil Thomas (Linda) Jr. of Jesup, Dexter (Shana) Thomas of Jesup and Willie "Will" (Nita) Thomas of Power Springs; sister-in-law, Vonita (Tommie) Weatherspoon of Jesup; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration-of-life service will be held at Community Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m. The body to lie in repose an hour prior to services.
Community Funeral Home Chapel is in charge of arrangements.